NCAA decides on rule changes

The NCAA on Thursday announced that the playing rules oversight panel approved a new rule that would allow officials to eject players who target and contact defenseless players above the shoulders, effective for the 2013 season.

The ejection would be in addition to the existing 15-yard penalty.

Under Wednesday's decision, players would be ejected for the remainder of the game if the penalty occurs in the first half. If the foul occurs in the second half or overtime, the player is ejected for the remainder of the game and the first half of the next contest. The ejection portion of the penalty can be subject to a video review.

The panel also approved a new rule regarding blocking below the waist and these changes:

• Add a 10-second runoff with less than a minute remaining in either half when the sole reason for the clock stoppage is injury.

• To establish three seconds as the minimum time required to be on the game clock in order to spike the ball to stop the clock. If one or two seconds remain on the clock, there is time for the offense to run only one more play.